Site Navigation

Site Mobile Navigation

Leaving New York City

Three couples detail their moves to find more space in the areas surrounding New York.Related Article

The road to the suburbs is well trodden. But the decision can be fraught for New York parents who dreamed of raising their children in the city, only to find themselves priced out. Below, a few die-hard city lovers on their exit to suburbia.

Photo

Joseph Wachs and Sussan Corson left Manhattan for Maplewood, N.J., where their son, D.J., is now steps from his new school.
Credit
Bryan Anselm for The New York Times

Maplewood, N.J.

THE BUYERS Joseph Wachs, 48, the studio director for More Simple, a strategy and design firm; Sussan Corson, 45, a senior analyst at a financial services company; and son, D.J., 6.

Their Budget $625,000

Years in the City 17

Where They Lived A two-bedroom condo in Hamilton Heights

Why They Left “Beyond schools,” said Mr. Wachs, “we were ready for more space, a new adventure and more space. Also, we wanted more space and a little more space.”

What They Got Working with Tracy Nix at Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, the couple bought a 1935 four-bedroom colonial with a backyard deck, a two-car garage and a semifinished basement for $551,000. The house is so close to Clinton Elementary School; Mr. Wachs said, “our son could zip-line to his classroom.”

The Draw “Maplewood drew our attention due to the housing stock and the charm of the town, the commute to the city, but mostly what seemed to be an artistic and welcoming community to New York City expats,” Mr. Wachs said.

What They Miss “The multicultural aspect of the community and restaurants was a unique experience we won’t find anywhere else,” Mr. Wachs said.

Photo

Jamie Stellini and Joe Leffe moved to Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., into a house with plenty of room for their growing family.
Credit
Katherine Marks for The New York Times

Where They Lived After the couple married in 2014, Mr. Leffe moved into the two-bedroom walk-up in Astoria that Ms. Stellini shared with her daughter, Lena.

Why They Left Space became a priority when Ms. Stellini became pregnant with her second child.

What They Got Working with their friend and broker, Jessica Murphy of Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty, the couple bought a three-bedroom two-and-a-half-bath for about $450,000 in Dobbs Ferry early last year. “We have a park within walking distance that includes a public pool,” said Mr. Leffe. “We have an au pair who lives with us,” added Ms. Stellini. “She has her own bedroom. That wouldn’t have been possible in Astoria.”

The Draw “We saw all the businesses you’re used to seeing in places like Astoria and Brooklyn,” said Ms. Stellini, citing bars, an organic food store, yoga studios, pottery-making places and a vegan bakery among the shops there and in artsy Hastings-on-Hudson next door. “It seemed like the impossible was possible here — that we would actually enjoy the suburbs.”

Biggest Adjustment “Spontaneously going out is not really a thing around here,” said Ms. Stellini. “When we were in Astoria and wanted to go out, we would pop outside and get into trouble pretty quickly. It was pretty awesome.”

Backup Plan After initially resisting suburban life, Mr. Leffe said, “I have finally embraced this as my home.” Still, he noted, he is holding onto and renting out a one-bedroom apartment in Astoria that he bought before the couple married. “I told her we got 17 years to go and we’re moving back to my place.”

Photo

Xanthi and George Stamos said goodbye to street noise and on-street parking when they bought a house in Trumbull, Conn.
Credit
Jane Beiles for The New York Times

Trumbull, Conn.

THE BUYERS Xanthi and George Stamos, both in their 30s, who were married in 2010.

Their Budget $400,000

Years in the City Thirty-two for Mrs. Stamos, an accountant, who was born and raised in Astoria, Queens; 14 for Mr. Stamos, a fire sprinkler mechanic who hails from Greece.

Where They Lived A $1,450-a-month one-bedroom rental in Astoria.

Why They Left With plans to start a family, they wanted more space. And with rents climbing in Astoria, Mrs. Stamos said, “we thought that rather than paying rent for a two- to three-bedroom apartment, we can be paying off our own house.”

What They Got After finding prices beyond their reach in the town of Fairfield, Conn., they moved north to Trumbull, close to the Merritt Parkway and Interstate 95. While the town lacks a traditional main street, she said, the neighborhood has everything they need, with a convenient 10-minute drive to the mall, and five minutes to the supermarket, bank, post office and restaurants.

What They Miss “The close proximity to shopping and restaurants” without having to drive, Mrs. Stamos said.

What They Don’t Miss “The noise pollution, and we definitely do not miss looking for on-street parking,” she said.

The Biggest Surprise How quickly prices drop if you’re willing to deal with a longer commute. Working with George Papageorge of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, they bought a three-bedroom two-bath with about 1,800 square feet of living space on 0.33 acre for $312,000. “My deck is bigger than my apartment was in Astoria,” Mrs. Stamos said. Her advice: “Be open to exploring other areas.”